Northwest ISD gets new directors

The Northwest school district will soon have two new directors heading up key departments.

Trustees at their April 14 meeting approved Stephanie Espinosa as the next executive director of curriculum and staff development and Jennifer Alexander as the next executive director of student services.

Espinosa, who has worked in the Northwest school district since 2007, is the principal at Lakeview Elementary School in Trophy Club. She was previously the principal at Northwest’s Seven Hills Elementary. She has also been an assessment specialist and assistant principal in the Fort Worth and Crowley school districts.

Espinosa will finish the school year as principal at Lakeview. A new principal will be named before the end of the current school year.

“Dr. Espinosa brings creativity, organization and a strong background in curriculum and instruction,” Superintendent Karen Rue told school board members. “I am confident she will keep us on target with our focus to graduate every student future ready.”

Espinosa earned a doctorate in education administration at Nova Southeastern University in 2013. She holds a master’s degree in education administration and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Texas Christian University. Last year, she was one of 50 Texas principals selected to participate in a cohort of top public school campus leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She is also an educational consultant for various school districts in Texas and Oklahoma, training principals and district leaders on school improvement models and standards-based instruction.

“I am excited to serve the students and staff of Northwest ISD in this new role,” Espinosa said. “I look forward to collaborating with teachers and principals as we strive to create life-long learners.”

Alexander, who will head up student services, has served as the district’s assistant director of special education since 2010. For the past 14 years, she has worked in Northwest as a special education supervisor, educational diagnostician and a special education support teacher. Prior to joining Northwest, she was a special education teacher and a speech therapy assistant in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district.

Alexander replaces Cindy Brown, who is retiring in August.

“Dr. Alexander is uniquely qualified for this position,” Rue said. “I am confident in her abilities, and I look forward to seeing her excel in this leadership position.”

Alexander has recently earned a doctorate at Nova Southeastern University and holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the University of North Texas.

She has served as an instructor for crisis prevention and a Texas Behavior Support Intervention trainer. Alexander has been selected for numerous leadership roles in the Northwest school district, such as campus leadership teams and the National Institute of School Leadership.

“I am thrilled to begin this new chapter in my career at Northwest ISD,” Alexander said. “I have a passion for public education, parent and community relationships, curriculum development, and successful student outcomes. This position allows me to focus on my love of student learning.”